SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400
Engine oil use?
Nurse Julie:
It will definitely contribute towards high oil consumption. If you see signs of a leak, oil over casings etc, that could just be the residue that's left after a ride, you may well have quite a bit of oil loss when riding but you won't see it as its been blown off the engine whilst riding. You say there is oil leaking from the sump but that being at the lowest point, that is where it is going to end up. It could br the oil pump, the gear change spline seal or/ and the starter motor O ring leaking or the clutch gasket or kick start seal on the other side. I changed my sump gasket twice a few years ago due to a leak, made no difference as it was the starter motor O ring that had perished. It may be worth you investigating these things next. A combination of oil leaks and burning a bit of oil, which is quite normal for an old engine, could well add up to your combined oil loss. Also attend to the rocker spindle cap leak.
Bradders:
Thanks Julie. Now you mention it there’s some oil near the kick start as well. I think I need to find a mechanic to have a good look at it as I’m not a mechanic by a long shot. Thanks for your advice Julie.
Nurse Julie:
Good idea. It is nothing unusual for O rings / seals to be perished on bikes that are 45 years old. They go dry and brittle and just don't do their job any more. Even if you can change, or get someone else to change all the easily accessible parts, it would be a huge step in the right direction. After changing them, if the head gasket is weeping a little bit, I wouldn't worry too much about that. I know yours is a very early engine and head gasket leaks were very common. You need to stem the flow of all the easily doable bits first though.
Bradders:
Thanks Julie. Ive left a message for a mechanic to call me back. He has been recommended to me by SteveD so hopefully he will be able to help me.
Bradders:
Thought I would update this post. After having new valve stem seals and rings fitted it seems to of cured the high oil consumption I was experiencing. Have done 300 miles since the work was done with no oil loss, before the work it was burning about 1/2 a litre every 200 miles. So thanks to everyone’s advice.
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